William L. Simmons Co. A, 29th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

William L. Simmons was born on Oct-13-1837 in Alexander County North Carolina. His parents were John and Elizabeth Simmons they had nine children . Some time after William was born, his father packed up his family along with a friend by the name of Arch Lackey, and moved to Hardin County Illinois in search of better farm land. In 1861 when the Civil War started, William at the age of twenty-three along with his brothers and friends joined the Illinois 29th Infantry, Co, A. From 1861-1865, William was in a number of engagements from Fort Henry to Fort Donelson onto the Battle of Shiloh and from Shiloh to Corinth, Miss. Then on a number of incursions into West Tennessee. His Regiment was at Holly Springs when it was captured by the Rebel General Van Dorn. After they were exchanged. they returned to duty. In 1864 he re-enlisted and was mustered in as a veteran. In 1864, he had duty from Natchez, to Memphis, back to Paducah, KY. William remained in the GAR until the end of the War. He was mustered out at Hempstead,Texas on Nov. 6. 1865. William came home and married Ellen Shewmaker. To this union, six children were born: 1868-Charlie S., 1873-Fred M., 1875-William E., 1878-Norman A., 1880-Anna L., 1883-Herbert M. William remained a farmer and he was the Sunday School Superintendent at Peters Creek Church in Hardin County Illinois. William died on April 30, 1897 and was laid to rest in the Peters Creek Cemetery. Acknowledgements: I want to thank 'Jack Davis' for his relentless pursuit of the Simmons Family History! Submitted by H. C. Davis, great-grandson of William L. Simmons.

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